Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to talk about youth employment in the electorate of Petrie. Unfortunately, while 82 per cent of people in the Petrie electorate are employed, 18 per cent are unemployed. I inherited that rate when I came to office 18 months ago. I want the young people in my electorate of Petrie to know that we support them, that the government is acting on a whole range of issues around the economy, to repay the debt and deficit that Labor left us.

Work for the Dole is a great program giving young people experience to help them get a job. The Green Army Program is being implemented right across this nation, and there are a few Green Army projects being rolled out in my electorate. There is the New Colombo Plan, which the Minister for Foreign Affairs has been a strong supporter of. One person in my electorate already has taken up a position under that program. There are opportunities for study, to do further training and education to get the skills that young people need and that employers are looking for. Of course, there is small business. We want to see small business continue to grow, to continue to create job opportunities in this country.

I encourage the young people in my electorate and all around Australia to grab every opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and relationships—we want them to succeed. We want to see small business succeed. We are a nation of opportunity. This government is making sure it stays that way.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded. We will move to questions without notice.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order, Madam Speaker, the opposition is willing to grant leave to the Prime Minister if he wants to make a statement on the sending of troops overseas.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no point of order.